Dominic Raab defends not calling Afghan foreign minister while on holiday as he was 'prioritising security' at Kabul airport - Sky News

Dominic Raab has said he did not call Afghanistan's foreign minister when he was on holiday as he was prioritising securing Kabul airport so that evacuation flights could depart.

Amid mounting criticism over the speed of his response to the Taliban's takeover, the foreign secretary said in a statement on Friday the government has been "working tirelessly" to help people flee Afghanistan.

"On Friday afternoon, 13 August, advice was put to my private office (around 6pm Afghan time) recommending a call to the Afghan foreign minister. This was quickly overtaken by events," it reads.

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Image: The RAF have been helping people to evacuate from Kabul airport. PIC: MoD

"The call was delegated to a minister of state because I was prioritising security and capacity at the airport on the direct advice of the director and the director general overseeing the crisis response.

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"In any event, the Afghan foreign minister agreed to take the call, but was unable to because of the rapidly deteriorating situation.

"The government's approach to prioritise security at the airport was the right one. As a result, 204 UK nationals and their families, Afghan staff and other countries citizens were evacuated on the morning of Monday 16 August."

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Posting on social media, the foreign secretary said his statement was "responding to the inaccurate media reporting over recent days".

Mr Raab is continuing to resist calls to resign as foreign secretary after he declined to speak with his Afghan counterpart while on holiday as the Taliban closed in on Kabul.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and Plaid Cymru are mounting pressure on Mr Raab to depart his ministerial role and say Prime Minister Boris Johnson should sack the foreign secretary if he does not stand aside himself.

Image: Armed forces minister James Heappey says government officials have been 'working their backsides off' to evacuate people

But Downing Street say they have "full confidence" in Mr Raab.

And asked by reporters on Thursday morning if he plans to resign over the matter, the foreign secretary replied: "No."

Speaking to Sky News on Friday, defence minister James Heappey backed Mr Raab and said people at all levels in the UK government are "working their backsides off" to evacuate people.

But Labour say the foreign secretary's position has become "untenable".

Former Labour foreign secretary Jack Straw told Sky News he would never delegate a call with his Afghan counterpart to another minister.

"The world never sleeps and it doesn't recognise British public holidays," he said.

Earlier this week, shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News that "not picking up the phone to the Afghan foreign minister seems to me to be absolutely shameful on the government's part".

In a statement released later, she added: "If Dominic Raab doesn't have the decency to resign, the prime minister must show a shred of leadership and sack him."

Image: Taliban fighters have taken over Kabul in recent days. Pic: AP

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner added: "Dominic Raab should resign. If he won't resign, Boris Johnson should sack him."

In a post on social media, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Raab must go."

Reiterating the same position, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: "Dominic Raab has failed to perform his basic duties as foreign secretary, and he has put people's lives at risk. His position is completely untenable and he must resign, or be sacked."

And Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts said Mr Raab "no longer commends respect" and "should resign or be removed from post".

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has also defended Mr Raab, telling Kay Burley that "one phone call is not the reason we are where we are" in terms of the current situation in Afghanistan.

Image: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has faced calls to resign after not calling Afghanistan's foreign minister while on holiday

He added that he had "no problem" in dealing with the foreign secretary while he was abroad.

Senior Conservative Sir Roger Gale said he is "not prepared to be party to a witch hunt" against the foreign secretary.

"They are briefed on a minute-by-minute basis, the fact that somebody these days with modern communications happens to be sitting in Greece or Timbuktu for that matter, it doesn't make any difference, they are still able to communicate," he told the PA news agency.

Mr Raab has been accused of failing to ask Hanif Atmar for urgent assistance in evacuating Afghan interpreters who had worked for UK military personnel during the 20-year conflict in the country.

The foreign secretary was on holiday when senior officials advised he should speak with Mr Atmar as the Taliban headed for Kabul, the Afghan capital.

It was important the call was made by Mr Raab, rather than a junior minister, the officials had said.

But they were told Mr Raab was unavailable and that Lord Goldsmith, the Foreign Office minister on duty, could speak to Mr Atmar instead.

On Wednesday, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The foreign secretary was engaged on a range of other calls and this one was delegated to another minister."

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'This is a moment of shame for the government'

Reports later transpired that the phone call was not made by the junior foreign office minister either.

Mr Raab reportedly did not speak with his Afghan counterpart until at least the next day, after the Afghan foreign ministry refused to set up a call with the more junior UK minister.

This meant crucial time was lost before the Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday, prompting a desperate scramble to evacuate thousands of Britons and the interpreters that is still ongoing.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds accused Mr Raab of a "dereliction of duty".

Meanwhile, a No 10 spokesperson confirmed the prime minister will chair a COBR meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.

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2021-08-20 13:07:30Z
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SNP and Greens agree to hold Scottish independence referendum in first half of Holyrood term - Daily Record

The SNP and the Scottish Greens have agreed to hold an independence referendum within the first half of the five-year parliamentary term.

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon announced today the SNP and Greens will co-operate at Holyrood on key areas like the environment and economic development.

Both parties have pledged to hold a referendum after the covid pandemic has passed - but no date has been set.

The agreement seals a majority for independence in the Holyrood chamber, however the UK Government is opposed to granting a referendum.

The Scottish Cabinet agreed the deal earlier today, while Green party members will get to vote on the agreement on August 28.

Announcing the agreement, the First Minister said: "The agreement delivers bold policy action on pressing issues.

"A commitment to more affordable housing, a better deal for tenants and action to tackle poverty and inequality. Steps to accelerate our transition to net zero - more support for active travel, transformation of home energy and a ten year transition fund for the North East of Scotland. A focus on green jobs and fair work - and a sustainable recovery from COVID.

"We also reaffirm in this Agreement our shared commitment to securing independence for Scotland, and to giving people the right to choose our country’s future through a referendum."

A document released by the Scottish Government states: "Secure a referendum on Scottish independence after the Covid crisis.

"This would be within the current parliamentary session on a specific date to be determined by the Scottish Parliament.

"If the Covid crisis has passed, our intention is for the referendum to be within the first half of the five-year parliamentary session.

"Work together to make the case that Scotland should be an independent country within the European Union, recognising each party’s right and duty to set out its own arguments for, and visions of, independence."

Reaction to deal

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “We are facing many years of recovery following the Covid pandemic.

"For the SNP and Greens to re-open old arguments and seek to divide our people would be an astonishing dereliction of duty at such a vital time.

"As part of the UK we can bring communities together and pool and share resources across the country, working to build a successful recovery that leaves nobody behind.

"That should be the priority for the new government."

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.

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2021-08-20 13:47:12Z
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Dominic Raab defends not calling Afghan foreign minister while on holiday as he was 'prioritising security' at Kabul airport - Sky News

Dominic Raab has said he did not call Afghanistan's foreign minister when he was on holiday as he was prioritising securing Kabul airport so that evacuation flights could depart.

Amid mounting criticism over the speed of his response to the Taliban's takeover, the foreign secretary said in a statement on Friday the government has been "working tirelessly" to help people flee Afghanistan.

"On Friday afternoon, 13 August, advice was put to my private office (around 6pm Afghan time) recommending a call to the Afghan foreign minister. This was quickly overtaken by events," it reads.

Afghanistan latest news - follow live updates

Image: The RAF have been helping people to evacuate from Kabul airport. PIC: MoD

"The call was delegated to a minister of state because I was prioritising security and capacity at the airport on the direct advice of the director and the director general overseeing the crisis response.

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"In any event, the Afghan foreign minister agreed to take the call, but was unable to because of the rapidly deteriorating situation.

"The government's approach to prioritise security at the airport was the right one. As a result, 204 UK nationals and their families, Afghan staff and other countries citizens were evacuated on the morning of Monday 16 August."

More on Afghanistan

Posting on social media, the foreign secretary said his statement was "responding to the inaccurate media reporting over recent days".

Mr Raab is continuing to resist calls to resign as foreign secretary after he declined to speak with his Afghan counterpart while on holiday as the Taliban closed in on Kabul.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and Plaid Cymru are mounting pressure on Mr Raab to depart his ministerial role and say Prime Minister Boris Johnson should sack the foreign secretary if he does not stand aside himself.

Image: Armed forces minister James Heappey says government officials have been 'working their backsides off' to evacuate people

But Downing Street say they have "full confidence" in Mr Raab.

And asked by reporters on Thursday morning if he plans to resign over the matter, the foreign secretary replied: "No."

Speaking to Sky News on Friday, defence minister James Heappey backed Mr Raab and said people at all levels in the UK government are "working their backsides off" to evacuate people.

But Labour say the foreign secretary's position has become "untenable".

Former Labour foreign secretary Jack Straw told Sky News he would never delegate a call with his Afghan counterpart to another minister.

"The world never sleeps and it doesn't recognise British public holidays," he said.

Earlier this week, shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News that "not picking up the phone to the Afghan foreign minister seems to me to be absolutely shameful on the government's part".

In a statement released later, she added: "If Dominic Raab doesn't have the decency to resign, the prime minister must show a shred of leadership and sack him."

Image: Taliban fighters have taken over Kabul in recent days. Pic: AP

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner added: "Dominic Raab should resign. If he won't resign, Boris Johnson should sack him."

In a post on social media, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Raab must go."

Reiterating the same position, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: "Dominic Raab has failed to perform his basic duties as foreign secretary, and he has put people's lives at risk. His position is completely untenable and he must resign, or be sacked."

And Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts said Mr Raab "no longer commends respect" and "should resign or be removed from post".

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has also defended Mr Raab, telling Kay Burley that "one phone call is not the reason we are where we are" in terms of the current situation in Afghanistan.

Image: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has faced calls to resign after not calling Afghanistan's foreign minister while on holiday

He added that he had "no problem" in dealing with the foreign secretary while he was abroad.

Senior Conservative Sir Roger Gale said he is "not prepared to be party to a witch hunt" against the foreign secretary.

"They are briefed on a minute-by-minute basis, the fact that somebody these days with modern communications happens to be sitting in Greece or Timbuktu for that matter, it doesn't make any difference, they are still able to communicate," he told the PA news agency.

Mr Raab has been accused of failing to ask Hanif Atmar for urgent assistance in evacuating Afghan interpreters who had worked for UK military personnel during the 20-year conflict in the country.

The foreign secretary was on holiday when senior officials advised he should speak with Mr Atmar as the Taliban headed for Kabul, the Afghan capital.

It was important the call was made by Mr Raab, rather than a junior minister, the officials had said.

But they were told Mr Raab was unavailable and that Lord Goldsmith, the Foreign Office minister on duty, could speak to Mr Atmar instead.

On Wednesday, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The foreign secretary was engaged on a range of other calls and this one was delegated to another minister."

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'This is a moment of shame for the government'

Reports later transpired that the phone call was not made by the junior foreign office minister either.

Mr Raab reportedly did not speak with his Afghan counterpart until at least the next day, after the Afghan foreign ministry refused to set up a call with the more junior UK minister.

This meant crucial time was lost before the Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday, prompting a desperate scramble to evacuate thousands of Britons and the interpreters that is still ongoing.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds accused Mr Raab of a "dereliction of duty".

Meanwhile, a No 10 spokesperson confirmed the prime minister will chair a COBR meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.

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2021-08-20 11:37:30Z
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Streatham attack: Sudesh Amman knife rampage could have been prevented if opportunity to send him to jail not missed, jury finds - Sky News

A terrorist attack on a busy shopping street could have been prevented if the probation service had recalled him to prison when he was seen buying items to make a fake suicide vest, a jury has found.

Sudesh Amman, 20, from Queensbury, north London, was shot dead by undercover surveillance officers after he went on a knife rampage in Streatham, South London in February last year.

The inquest jury at the Royal Courts of Justice found that the killing was lawful but was asked to reach conclusions on whether the probation service or police could have stopped the attack taking place.

Image: The jury were shown images of Amman taken after his release from jail. Pic: Met Police

Amman had been released from Belmarsh jail ten days earlier after serving half of a 40-month sentence for obtaining and distributing material for terrorist purposes.

On 2 February last year he grabbed a carving knife from a shop and stabbed two passers-by, one of them seriously, during a rampage up Streatham High Road.

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He was shot dead by armed surveillance officers in front of Boots, 62 seconds after the attack began, when he turned and ran at the officers.

The jury agreed the probation service "missed an opportunity" which may have prevented the attack and the death of Amman, in not deciding to recall him to prison after he bought items that might be used in creating a fake suicide belt.

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They were told that Amman could have been recalled if probation officers were satisfied that his behaviour "indicated an increased or unmanageable risk of serious harm to the public" or that there was an imminent risk of further offences being committed.

They were also asked whether the police investigation team ought to have asked to have Amman's probation hostel room searched following the purchase of four bottles if Irn-Bru, a roll of Bacofoil and brown parcel tape, that was used to construct the fake vest, but decided it was not.

Image: Sudesh Amman before the attack. Pic: Gardham/Met Police

They said it was a "novel step" and one which risked compromising the surveillance operation.

A last question asked whether Amman should have been stopped and searched by armed police officers on February 2 between him leaving the hostel at 1.22pm and running out of the Low Price Store with a knife at 1.57pm.

But the jury said no further intelligence or suspicious were raised after Amman bought the suspicious items.

They said that none of the experienced surveillance officers "considered or suggested the possibility" that an empty JD Sports plastic bag was being used to conceal a possible suicide belt.

They were directed to return a finding of lawful killing of Amman after the coroner, Mr Justice Hilliard, told them he had decided, with no objection from any interested person, that it was the only conclusion they could "safely return."

Image: Footage shows an undercover officer firing his gun in Streatham High Street. Pic: Met Police

Explaining his decision, the coroner added: "Each of the officers who shot Sudesh Amman at every stage honestly believed that it was necessary to use force in defence of himself and others, and the amount of force used at each stage was no more than reasonably necessary in the circumstances."

The coroner thanked the jury for the care and time they had taken in coming to their conclusions and added that the two people who were stabbed in the attack were "in all our thoughts."

The coroner added: "Mr Amman was prepared to risk his life in order to try and murder other people.

"In stark contrast, members of the Metropolitan Police surveillance unit were prepared to put themselves in harm's way to keep all of us safe, especially the team on February 2.

"They are owed a considerable debt of gratitude for what they did which I gladly acknowledge."

Image: Images of Amman were included in the police intelligence file. Pic: Met Police

Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator of the police counter terrorism department, said: "Police had real concerns about this attacker, both in relation to his extremist mindset and also what he may do on his release from prison,"

"It is for this reason he was monitored by a very professional and highly skilled team.

"It is reason that they were in the right place at the right time to intervene and stop this becoming a murderous attack."

He added: "Managing terrorist offenders in the community is a really challenging job and we do that in conjunction with various other agencies and partners.

"I want to reassure everybody though, that we work around the clock tirelessly with great determination and effort tom combat any forms of terrorist acts in this country."

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2021-08-20 11:26:15Z
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Government borrowing shrinks in July - BBC News

Government borrowing fell in July compared with a year earlier as the removal of most Covid restrictions in England gave the economy a boost.

Borrowing - the difference between spending and tax income - was £10.4bn, official figures show, which was £10.1bn lower than July last year.

However, the figure was the second-highest for July since records began.

Borrowing has been hitting record levels, with billions being spent on measures such as furlough payments.

The huge amount of borrowing over the past year has now pushed government debt up to more than £2.2 trillion, or about 98.8% of GDP - a rate not seen since the early 1960s.

• Where does the government borrow billions from?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) now estimates that the government borrowed a total of £298bn in the financial year to March.

That amounted to 14.2% of GDP, the highest level since the end of World War Two.

The ONS said the cost of measures to support individuals and businesses during the pandemic meant that day-to-day spending by the government rose by £204.3bn to £942.7bn last year.

Interest payments on central government debt were £3.4bn in July.

That was £1.1bn more than in July 2020, but far lower than the monthly record of £8.7bn in June 2021.

Risks remain

"Our recovery from the pandemic is well under way, boosted by the huge amount of support government has provided," said Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

"But the last 18 months have had a huge impact on our economy and public finances, and many risks remain.

"We're committed to keeping the public finances on a sustainable footing, which is why at the Budget in March I set out the steps we are taking to keep debt under control in the years to come."

Ruth Gregory, senior UK economist at Capital Economics, pointed out that July's borrowing figure was "once again comfortably lower" than forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

"Total tax receipts of £70bn in July were above June's £62.1bn and last July's total of £60.6bn, another encouraging sign that the economic recovery is feeding through to the public coffers. And government spending dropped from £77.2bn in June to just £73.1bn in July," she added.

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2021-08-20 06:49:23Z
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Dominic Raab faces further pressure over Afghanistan delays as it emerges phone call delegated to junior minister never took place - Sky News

A phone call that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was advised to make to Afghanistan's foreign minister but which was delegated to a junior minister did not take place, it has emerged.

Mr Raab was reportedly "unavailable" when officials in his department suggested he "urgently" contact Hanif Atmar on 13 August to arrange for help to airlift translators out of Afghanistan - two days before the Taliban marched on Kabul.

The responsibility of arranging the call with the Afghan foreign ministry was then handed to a junior minister.

However, it has since been revealed that the phone call never took place.

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Will Dominic Raab resign over Afghanistan?

It was reported on Thursday that Afghanistan's foreign ministry refused to set up the call with the junior minister, pushing it back to the next day.

This meant crucial time was lost before the Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday, prompting a desperate scramble to evacuate thousands of Britons and interpreters that is still ongoing.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "Given the rapidly changing situation it was not possible to arrange a call before the Afghan government collapsed."

More on Afghanistan

Mr Raab has been under mounting pressure to resign since he refused to speak to Mr Atmar while holidaying in Crete.

Image: British citizens and dual nationals residing in Afghanistan board a military plane for evacuation. Pic: Ben Shread/UK MOD

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and Plaid Cymru have called for him to step down from his ministerial role and say Prime Minister Boris Johnson should sack him if he does not stand aside himself.

However, Downing Street has said it has "full confidence" in Mr Raab.

The Labour party has set out a list of 18 urgent questions for the foreign secretary to answer about his trip and his department's handling of the Afghanistan crisis.

The revelation comes amid reports that three of the UK's most senior civil servants, who are in charge of the departments dealing with the evacuation from Afghanistan, are on holiday.

Sir Philip Barton, Matthew Rycroft and David Williams, who are permanent secretaries at the Foreign Office, Home Office and Ministry of Defence, are all on leave, The Times reported.

A government spokesperson said: "Departments across Whitehall have been working intensively at all levels in the last few days and weeks on the situation in Afghanistan.

"Thanks to these efforts, we have relocated over 2,000 Afghans to the UK since June, evacuated over 400 British nationals and their families on RAF flights since Sunday and established one of the most generous asylum schemes in British history."

The government said that all Whitehall departments have tried and tested systems for managing when senior officials are on leave or travelling.

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The MoD and Home Office both have two Permanent Secretaries and one is always working while the other is on leave, while at the FCDO there is a designated "acting Permanent Secretary" to cover periods of leave.

Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy condemned the government on the latest news, tweeting: "The Government had 18 months to prepare for this moment."

Ms Nandy also told Sky News: "It has become incredibly clear that the foreign secretary's position has become untenable."

She added that "not picking up the phone to the Afghan foreign minister seems to me to be absolutely shameful on the government's part".

Asked by reporters on Thursday morning if he plans to resign over the matter, Mr Raab replied: "No."

Earlier on Thursday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace defended Mr Raab, telling Kay Burley that "one phone call is not the reason we are where we are" in terms of the current situation in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, Mr Raab chaired a call of G7 foreign ministers to discuss the crisis, saying afterwards that foreign ministers had agreed each will "engage with partners" to try to secure an "inclusive political settlement" and to enable humanitarian assistance and prevent further loss of life in Afghanistan and to the international community from terrorism.

The government has announced Britain will take up to 20,000 people wanting to exit Afghanistan as part of its resettlement scheme, with 5,000 due to be accepted in the next 12 months.

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2021-08-20 04:23:31Z
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Afghanistan: More than 100 guards at British embassy in Kabul told they are not eligible for UK protection - report - Sky News

Leaving embassy staff without UK protection is "a shameful betrayal" the Labour party has said, after reports that more than 100 guards at the British embassy in Kabul were told they are not eligible.

According to a report in the Guardian, the workers will not be supported by the UK because they were hired by a contractor.

Most of the 125 security personnel employed by GardaWorld - some of whom have worked at the embassy for a decade - have been given notice that they no longer have jobs, the report says.

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British passport holders among queues to leave Kabul

In response, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are clear there is absolutely no legitimate basis to prevent civilians from travelling to safety.

"We are monitoring the situation with GardaWorld closely and remain in contact with them to provide any required assistance."

Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "To leave over a hundred guards at the British Embassy in Kabul without protection is a shameful betrayal of brave Afghans who have risked their lives serving alongside our representatives in Afghanistan.

"Ministers should be ashamed. They are not living up to our obligations as a country and are trashing Britain's reputation around the world.

More on Afghanistan

"Their gross negligence is putting lives at grave risk. They must U-turn on this - urgently", he added.

"Yet again the foreign secretary has made a dangerous blunder. He should have resigned today and if he is - dishonourably - refusing to go, the prime minister should sack him immediately."

Dominic Raab has resisted calls to resign as foreign secretary after he declined to speak to the Afghan foreign minister while on holiday as the Taliban closed in on Kabul.

Sky News understands that the Ministry of Defence is not letting contractors know they could be eligible for help under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, but people and companies are expected to apply for it themselves.

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Crowds swell at the Afghanistan airport

The scheme offers relocation or other assistance to current and former locally employed staff in Afghanistan to reflect the changing situation in the country, according to the government's website.

Under the new scheme, those deemed to be at serious risk of threat to life will be offered priority relocation to the UK regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served.

The UK has promised to take in 20,000 Afghan refugees, with military flights arriving at RAF Brize Norton each day.

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2021-08-20 02:22:07Z
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